By Cynthia Zordich, Player Engagement Insider
For football families across the U.S., turkeys are timed to pop around practice and holidays rock around the game clock. A Thursday is always a Thursday. That could mean the last practice in full pads or suiting up to play in one of the coveted Thanksgiving Day match ups.
Holiday fate rests in the hands of the NFL, the NCAA, FOX, CBS, NBC and ESPN. Football families get this and make the necessary adjustments. Players tune out the cheer and tradition of the season - clearly in the heat of their own.
When my kids were little, we moved our family Christmas to February. It was my mother-in-law's idea and it was brilliant. Our own little Christmases in our team cities were always a late Christmas Eve dinner after a long practice and film. Christmas mornings passed in the blink of an eye, with my husband, Michael, tripping over Santa as he ran out the door for morning meetings. Besides shopping without hustle or bustle or paying full price, our new February option gave Michael the chance to enjoy the holiday with us, both in mind and body.
When my boys went on to play college ball, all of their Thanksgivings were spent at the training table and most of their Christmas trees were standing in the lobby of bowl headquarters. My husband was coaching in Philadelphia, which left my daughter, Aidan, and I floating between family. This year, after turning the turkey down to 200° as we waited for the UM practice whistle to blow, I realized it would be the first Thanksgiving with the five of us, together, in over eight years. At the table, it was clear that we were all thankful to be together and clearer that no one had any regrets about those years apart. Players and coaches sacrifice time away from their families for the game. They miss holidays, birthdays, graduations, plays, games and anniversaries. There's no way around it. Football families get that. Still, deep down, I imagine players worry about that time away and how it might be affecting their families. With that, I thought it would be fun to reach out to some NFL kids to ask them why they are thankful for their #FootballDad.
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for being a great father. Thank you for not pushing me, but encouraging me, and for not judging me, but loving me. Thank you for trying to prepare me for life and for my future. I want you to know that I get it. D.H.S. (Dedication. Hard work. Sacrifice.) I love you. Star
Star is the 15-year-old daughter of Robert Ferguson. He was drafted in the 2nd round in 2001 to Green Bay. Ferguson played for six seasons in Green Bay, two seasons in Minnesota and one season in Atlanta. Robert and Tiffany have 4 daughters Star (15), Sky (11), Heaven (9), and Angel (4).
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for being my father. Thank you for teaching me softball so I can go to college. Thank you for being in my life. I love you. Sky
Sky is the 11-year-old daughter of Robert Ferguson.
Dear Daddy,
Thanks Dad for loving us so much and taking care of us. Clarke
Clarke is the 7-year-old daughter of Dwight and Chandra Hollier. Dwight played for the Miami Dolphins: 1992-1999. Indianapolis Colts: 2000. He is currently the VP of Wellness & Clinical Services - NFL.
Thanks Dad for giving us cool things from work and taking us to the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend! Trace
Trace is the 12-year-old son of Dwight Hollier.
I like watching my dad play in the NFL, and I love how he teaches me the game. My dad shows me how to be a better receiver and snapper. It is nice when he can come help out at my team's practices. Ryan
Ryan is the son of Julie and Mike Leach. They have two children Ryan(9) and Madeline(7). Mike Leach is a 15-year veteran long snapper. 2000-2001 Tennessee Titans, 2002-2008 Denver Broncos, 2009-present Arizona Cardinals.
I look up to you dad! You are my super hero! Love Super Ace!
Ace is the two-year-old son of Chandra and Jimmy Williams. The above photo was taken at the Golden Football Ceremony created by the NFL to honor high schools of players and coaches that have played in Super Bowls. Jimmy Williams 2001-2004 San Francisco, 2004-2006 Seattle Seahawks.
Post your own Thankful For Our #FootballDad quote and story on Instagram today using hashtags #FootballDad #FootballIsFamily.
Cynthia Zordich is an NFL Engagement insider. She is the wife of former NFL Player and University of Michigan Coach Michael Zordich and the mother of free agent FB Michael Zordich (PSU '12), former UB Quarterback Alex Zordich ('13) and recent Penn State graduate Aidan Zordich (Advertising '14). www.cynthiazordich.com